Russian Lawmaker Wants Lesbianism Outlawed

A Russian lawmaker on Tuesday proposed introducing a ban on lesbianism—weeks
after another official called for reinstating the Soviet-era ban on male
homosexuality. Alexei Mitrofanov, a nationalist member of the lower house of
parliament, told reporters that he and other lawmakers have introduced a bill
that would make lesbian relations a criminal offense.

Mitrofanov said the measure would help solve the problem of Russia’s
rapidly declining population. "If a woman doesn’t observe moral,
ethical norms, then there were will be no growth in the birth rate," he
said.

In April, Gennady Raikov, the leader of a pro-Kremlin parliamentary
faction, said he and other legislators had drafted a bill that would reinstate
criminal punishment for homosexuality. According to media reports, that bill
calls for prison sentences of up to five years for men who engage in gay sex.